An "Indiana Jones" themed Tiki Bar

Continuing with my Adventureland theme in my backyard, I created this 'tiki' bar and deck area. I borrowed heavily from the Indiana Jones ride queue of Disneyland as well as hints from the movies themselves.

The bar was actually built 5 years ago now,and the tropical plants and bamboos have really taken over,providing lots of shade and ambiance.

I add something every year to this spot.This year I added the deck,which has a great ocean view,as well as our Jungle Cruise playhouse. A palm tree that was planted back then now grows up through the deck.

Keep an eye on some of the bar details,there are nods to all three Indy movies,as well as Pirates of the Caribbean,and others... These complete plans are now available for purchase at Buy Now">http://store.payloadz.com/go?id=995979

You have given me inspiration to build my own "Disney" resort yard. I hope you won't mind if I copy some of your ideas. They just work so well. My kids are a little old for a playhouse, so I won't be doing that one but it looks awesome. Don't know much about your weather up there (I'm from New Mexico, USA), but how do your plants do? Your whole project is just amazing. Thank you for sharing and the tips on building. Looking forward to starting on my own.

Is there anyway you could do an actual instructable? I was really interested in making this in my back yard but dont have a general knowledge of construction so i was trying to guess measurements and how large everything was that you used and i'm not sure how to put the frame together and attach everything. Great tiki hut! Would be even better if I could figure out how to make it!

Yeah as soon as I get some more progress going on I will definatley post some photo's right now I am in the tail end of the collection faze. I absolutely love you lamp post and was searching all over the net for the same or similar lamps if you dont mind me asking I would love to know where you got them? and I love your lanterns. are the fuel? I bought a few from wally world and brought them home, stripped the paint dipped them in muriatic acid and then gave them a salt water spray. I also didnt want to mess with the fuel so I went and bought a bunch of led tea light and hacked the to run off of my low voltage landscaping lights I wished I would have done a step by step in order to do an instructable. maybe on the next ones. well thanks for the last reply and hope to hear from you again. George

The lamps were new, I found them at the same scrap yard where I get all my old lumber. They were blue,I painted them Olive drab. I had wanted the industrial "pan" type that seem common,but I couldn't find any. These work well.For wiring, I'm using two lengths of contractors lights,the kind on an extension cord. My hurricane lamps are fuel type,I rarely use them,but they have been used safely for some time now.They were red,I used a faux finish on them to get the rust look.Sounds like you are going to have one heck of a bar when you're done.Love the idea with the led tea lights, I may try that on the Jungle Cruise playhouse lights..thanks for the idea! looking forward to seeing your stuff!!

I have been building my adventureland styled backyard and have a couple of questions, first off what did you use for roofing material? how did you weather it? and how did you distress the wood? thanks for a reply in advance. George

It's a corrugated tin roof,like that used on barns,etc.It was already weathered like that (IE RUSTED!) The rust is just surface,and there are no holes in it. I frequent a place that sells leftover building materials,and reclaimed wood,etc..places like that are treasure troves of awesome looking (and cheaper) building materials..check and see what you have in your area! The wood is cedar,and will turn silver in a year or so,but this was from an old fence,so it already looked like that when I used it here. Let's see some photos of your project! Sounds awesome!

WOW!!! AWSOME!!! That is the greatest bar Ive ever seen!!!!! my whole backyard is tiki themed, now Im building a copy of your bar for my yard!! You are a master craftsman by far!! Love Disney too, and although Im only 16 miles away i dont get there as offten as Id like. Thanks again for sharing your awsome bar and playhouse!! Too Cool!!!!! Paul

You are obsessed. I love people with obsessions who are willing to share and explain. A couple of masterpieces. Thank you for sharing your madness with the rest of us mad people who aspire to similar craziness. Bravo. Can't wait to see your next project.

Thank you! I've allways had an idea for how my livingroom+balkony should look like, a tiki-bar. But I had no details in mind until I saw your garden! You just gave me 1001 ideas in less then 5 mins. Thank you! *Can't wait to get going*

I will try to post when I get going.. Social and work related stuff keeps me from starting atm. But I'm working on it in my mind =)I'll hope to do something similar but inside and without "India-theme".. But I'm thinking of a "weight-supported"-trap for some "special-brew-liqure" only available for ppl that knows about it ;)

Totally cool. Totally off Indy and Disney topics, Do you find that you get animals roosting in between the eaves of the house and the roof of the tiki hut? I would have some serious squirrel and bird infestations in that area if I built an addition that way. I live in a part of the country that gets a lot of rain and snow, and the rodents, and rodents with wings, find any way they can to stay dry. I'll have to try to something a little different. Thanks for the ideas.

Build the outside frame of the crate with the 45 degree angled corners..Nail or screw them together. Then flip it over and cover it with planks. I use a brad nailer to quickly get the pieces built,then add old looking nails here and there on the surface,just for looks mostly.

The writing is just one with spray paint and a stencil that I made in the computer using a font that was close to the actual prop. I used images in a book of the Lucasfilm Archives to get it right. After it was done and look good,I burnt it..with a propane torch.Thats it really.

About This Instructable

Bio:I am a freelance graphic designer, as well as a carpenter. I enjoy spending time with my two beautiful little girls,and wonderful wife.Oh, and we all love Disneyland! I have built a Jungle Cruise play...read more »